22 July 2011

The Prime Minister of Norway says:

Today, Norway has been hit by two shocking, violent and cowardly attacks.
We don’t know who has attacked us. There is much that remains uncertain.
But we do know that many have died and many are injured.
We are all shocked by the evil events that struck so suddenly and brutally.
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This is an evening that will demand a great deal of us all.
The next days may be more demanding still.
We are prepared to face them. Norway stands together in times of crisis.
We mourn our dead.
We share the sufferings of those who are wounded.
And we feel with the families and friends of those affected.
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This is an attack on innocent civilians. On young people at a summer camp. On us.
I have a message for those who attacked us. And for those who are behind them.
It is a message from the whole of Norway:
You will not destroy us.
You will not destroy our democracy or our commitment to bringing about a better world.
We are a small nation, but we are a proud nation.
No one is going to bomb us into silence.
No one is going to shoot us into silence.
No one is ever going to frighten us away from being Norway.
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This evening and tonight we will take care of one another.
Comfort one another, talk, and stand together.
Tomorrow we will show the world that the Norwegian democracy grows stronger when it is under pressure.
We will find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The most important task this evening is to save lives and take care of all who have been hurt and their families.
I pay tribute to the police, health workers and others who have put in a formidable effort over the last few hours to help people and prevent more harm being done.
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We must never give up our values.
We must show that our open society can pass this test too.
That the answer to violence is even more democracy.
Even more humanity.
But never naivity.
That is something we owe the victims and their families.

Transcript from Prime Minister's Stoltenberg press conference 22 July 22.00.